the ORA frag that I have has grown below the plug by almost 1/2 inch. Can I nip it off before attaching it to a permanant home? If so, may the pieces I nip off survive?

if you cut the pieces off ... be sure to mount them flat on the new plug. they should be just fine, i have a couple of VERY tiny accidental frags that are about 1 coralite tall (just the very tip of a branch).

Yep, you'd be amazed at the tiny pieces that will grow out just fine.

Nce color on that piece as well :)

I recently watched the acoropora fragging video, and it got me wondering :)

I am going to go all the way aroung the base. I could use nippers, or would you suggest something else? A drimmel tool (spelling?) seems odd for such a small area/

i think i would use a pair of side cutters or bone cutters on it.

when you are done, i would also maybe round out the hole that the plug sits in (on the original frag) and try to fit it flush into the hole. the part you are about to cut is what will eventually be used by the coral to anchor itself to the rock. if it is a flush fit in the hole the coral will have a better "grip" on the rock.

Yes, it needs a permanant home! I keep moving it all over the tank, looking for a good spot. I was thinking about putting it in a bigger hole filled with that 2 pt epoxy, good?

I picked up a cheap pair of tile nippers at Lowes that I use. Works perfectly, and way cheaper than a pair of bone cutters.

I like things mobile because I like ''redecorating', but I think that I need to stop moving this one around so much, it doesnt know which side to grow from

Yes, it needs a permanant home! I keep moving it all over the tank, looking for a good spot. I was thinking about putting it in a bigger hole filled with that 2 pt epoxy, good?

Sure, I've mounted tons of stuff that way. Quick tip. That epoxy heats up as it cures, so make sure it's in an area of good flow to dissipate the heat, and prevent it from damaging the tissue. Since it's an SPS, it should be in good flow anyway ;)